ROME, Italy — Members of the Afghan diaspora gathered in Rome on Saturday to protest the Taliban’s systematic repression of women and girls, joining the widening wave of global demonstrations triggered by recent violent crackdowns in Herat. Holding banners and chanting “Education, Work, Freedom,” demonstrators sought to pressure European institutions to address what they termed a “silent crisis of gender apartheid” in Afghanistan. The rally follows reports that the European Union has invited a Taliban delegation to Brussels for upcoming talks regarding the repatriation of deported Afghan migrants.
Protesters and organizers expressed severe concern that high-level engagements in Brussels risk normalizing and legitimizing a regime that has systematically erased women from public life and stripped them of basic freedoms. Participants emphasized that diplomatic discussions must not sideline human rights, urging the international community to condition any political engagement on the restoration of fundamental liberties for women. Organizers confirmed that Saturday’s gathering is the first phase of a sustained mobilization campaign, with further large-scale demonstrations planned across the Italian capital in the coming days.
